5 Common Commercial Roofing Challenges

A commercial roof – a roof installed on an apartment or office building, for instance – often presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to maintenance and longevity.

Commercial roofing will often have heavy equipment installed on top of it, such as air conditioners. A commercial roof is often flat as opposed to pitched, which may create  drainage issues. Maintenance workers and other employees are also more likely to walk across a roof of this kind, and foot traffic can cause damage as well. A roof membrane is designed to If you are responsible for the maintenance and care of your business facility, you will want to acquaint yourself with these possible issues.

Possible Commercial Roofing Problems

1. Ponding: Residential roofs are generally pitched, and designed to allow water to run off the roof as much as possible. Commercial roofing, by contrast is often flat, and pondng of water may become a problem. If water remains on the roof for more than 48 hours without draining or evaporating, the roof structure should be inspected. Stagnant standing water can cause deterioration, fungus and eventually, leaks on a commercial roof.
2. Improper Installation: Commercial buildings tend to change hands, and you may not have had control of the project when the roof was installed. If any of the roofing materials were of inferior quality or installed incorrectly. there may be premature degradation and deterioration. Given the level of investment in a commercial building, annual inspections and repair of any issues is highly recommended.
3. Roof Uplift: Here in the Venice area, we are prone to high-wind weather events. A taller building is more susceptible to high winds than a one story building. As the wind passes over the roof of your structure, it creates a pressure differential (low pressure outside the building, high pressure inside) which could lift your roof right off. The roof on your building should be constructed with the proper guidelines, learned by consulting updated wind maps of the region.
4. Failed Flashings: The purpose of flashings is to seal penetrations and seams on your roof, but the proper installation of flashings is an art. I your roof installer did not properly install the flashings water will not be properly directed away from the openings, and could leave the area vulnerable to leaks. Be sure to have a licensed roof inspector check all flashings for integrity and coverage.
5. Weighty Equipment: Because commercial buildings often store and install very heavy equipment on the roof, the roof structure should be checked periodically to ensure that it is holding up ok. Everything from the supports to the insulation could be stressed from the weight, which can also include water weight if the roof is not draining properly. A sagging roof should be fixed as soon as detected.

Here in South Florida, any roof – whether commercial roofing or a residential structure – comes under a lot of stress because of the persistent UV rays, heavy rains and winds. If you are responsible for the upkeep of your building’s roof and you have not had it inspected recently, that is a great place to start. Once you have had the roof looked at, all minor damage and repairs should be dealt with immediately in order to ensure that small problems do not get bigger as time goes on.

Finally, partnering with a locally licensed roofing contractor will ensure that your roof is maintained properly throughout it life. Call Kingdom Roofing today to get started – we are Venice’s trusted commercial roofing contractor.